….Over the last ten home games against the Canadiens, the Sabres are 7-3-0.

….Starting in 1985 this is the sixth time the Sabres have opened their home season vs. the Canadiens including five of the last six seasons.

….In those last five Buffalo openers , the Canadiens have one win (4-1 last October), a loss and a tie plus two shootout losses. The Canadiens have at least a point in15 of the last 18 games in Buffalo and have won eight of the last ten.

….The road team has won nine of the last thirteen games in the Buffalo/Montreal series.

….Since the Canadiens swept the four game season series in 2013-2014 the canadiens are 6-4-2 vs. Buffalo. Five of the 12 games were decided in overtime or a shootout (4X).

About the Canadiens –

….The Canadiens finished the pre-season with a 2-6-0 record.

….This is the Canadiens 109th season-opener and their 101st in the NHL; their 41st opener on the road. (The Canadiens are 18-15-7 in road openers)

….A total of ten skaters from last season’s opening night roster are no longer in the Canadiens organization including forwards Brian Flynn, Sven Andrighetto, Alexander Radulov, David Desharnais. Daniel Carr is now with the Laval Rocket.

….Tomas Plekanec begins his 12th season with the Canadiens. In his 68 career games vs. Buffalo he has 14 goals and 38 points. Mark Streit is second with 10 career goals and 27 points in 35 games. Max Pacioretty has 10 goals, 17 assists in 35 games.

….The Canadiens have two on their roster who have played with Buffalo – Torrey Mitchell and Paul Byron.

….Karl Alzner will play in his 541st consecutive regular season game dating back to the opening of the2010-2011 season. His is fifth longest active iron man streak in the league. (Phillip Danault is secdond on the Canadiens with 132 consecutive games)

About the Sabres –

….Phil Housley will make his NHL head coaching debut in this game. He played eight seasons on the Buffalo defense. His 1495 NHL games were an NHL record for American born players and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in November 2015.

….The name of the Sabres venue has been changed to KeyBank Centre, the fourth name change since the arena opened in1996 – formerly First Niagara Centre; HSBC Arena and Marine Midland Arena.

….The last time the Sabres won their first game of a season either home or away was the lockout shortened 2012 season. (Jan 20th, 2013 vs. Philadelphia) Last season the Canadiens beat them 4-1.

….The Sabres finished their pre-season with a 1-4-1 record.

….Like the Canadiens, the Sabres have a rebuilt defense. Josh Gorges won’t be dressed leaving only two returning from last season. Making their debut are Marco Scndella, Victor Antipin, Matt Tennyson and Nathan Beaulieu.

…..Buffalo will have three players on their roster who have played for the Canadiens – Nathan Beaulieu, Josh Gorges and Benoit Pouliot.

….With the departure of UFA Brian Gionta, the Sabres will start the season with four alternate captains, Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Kyle Okposo and Zach Bogosian. (Gionta remains unsigned.)

….October 3rd Buffalo signed forward Jack Eichel to an eight year contract extension at 10 million per season.

….Eichel led the Sabres with 57 points last season (24g, 33a) in 61 games.

….Eichel led the NHL with an average of 4.1 shots on goal per game. He ranked 11th with 0.93 points per game.

….Eichel has played in eight games vs. the Canadiens with three points, all assists.